“Akashi, what did you just say? You came back from the Underworld? No, wait a moment. That means you were dead, right? Uh… Ah, that’s right! You mentioned before that you escaped from there, didn’t you?”
“That’s correct. However, there was one issue. The one who escaped from the Underworld was my original self, not me. I managed to escape using past experiences, but due to insufficient abilities, I had some parts of my soul torn away while evading the wardens.”
“I’m not sure if I understood correctly, but summarizing Akashi’s words, it goes like this: First, your soul was indeed dragged into the Underworld, which practically means you died. Second, you successfully escaped from the Underworld. Third, since it wasn’t myself but the original body that escaped, and because my abilities were lacking, pieces of my soul got torn away by the wardens.”
“…This guy really escaped from hell. Though it might be because he has a body to return to, it seems he truly possesses fragments of a god.”
“So… is that why you’ve changed like this? Suddenly becoming indifferent to everything… not getting angry at us and staying so calm?”
“That isn’t the case either. I still feel anger, injustice, curiosity when I see that worm, disdain and amusement when I see the hero, and even pure curiosity and a bit of reverence when I see you. It’s just that I don’t feel the need to express these emotions. This is the first time something like this has happened to me, so I don’t know what to make of it. Anyway… I’m tired. Everything feels exhausting. This is the first time in all my existences that I’ve felt this drained. Is there something wrong with my emotions? I’ll have to look into it.”
“Listening to him, it sounds like ordinary apathy, yet Yuna looked at Akashi as if she were seeing someone about to die, her face contorted with worry.”
“…Is this real?”
I nudged Myungho slightly, asking cautiously. I had never seen Akashi looking so lethargic, but there was always the possibility.
“Who knows, maybe he’s just faking it to mess with us. Normally, even thinking this would be disrespectful, but given who we’re dealing with, it can’t be helped.”
Considering all the things he’s done, if this is real… well, apologizing might help. But if it’s fake… what should we do?
At least, we’ll make him pay for teasing Yuna. I glanced at Myungho, who seemed to understand after meeting my eyes.
“He gets it, I guess. Having known Akashi longer than anyone else among us, he must have sensed something. In my opinion, that guy has definitely lied to Myungho multiple times.”
“No. He has. Definitely. Akashi is either acting or genuinely feeling this way, staring indifferently at us. Though it’s somewhat regrettable for Yuna, I asked her to step back for a moment and bring Akacia over.”
“At least they’re the same Akashi, so unless they conspired together, Akacia’s help should be useful.”
“Yuna left the room solemnly, despite sniffling, leaving only Akashi and us in the room.”
“…Akashi. Sorry, but I have one question. Are your emotions really malfunctioning? To the point where you don’t want to do anything? Or are you just messing with Yuna?”
“On behalf of Myungho, I questioned Akashi. Though it was more like asking if it was all true. Personally, I didn’t care whether this guy was tired or not; I needed his magic, not him personally.”
“But I didn’t want Yuna to be hurt by this. There’s no way Akashi doesn’t realize her feelings for him, yet his current behavior makes it seem like he’s playing with her.”
“Just now, you interrogated someone who just woke up. Even if he’s irritating, he’s still a patient who needs absolute rest, isn’t he?”
“Akashi’s tone was slightly sharp, but neither his voice nor expression showed any variation. Is something really wrong with him? If so, I’d feel sorry.”
“After questioning him further with Myungho, we found nothing conclusive. I thought about asking him to write something, but even I thought that was too harsh.”
“If our trust is this low, then we can’t even call ourselves comrades. We’re already halfway there anyway.”
Until Yuna returned, we exchanged unproductive questions and answers.
“…Ah, my lower back. If I woke up, why drag me here again? This ‘me’ won’t greet me anyway. Look, his expression is already sour.”
It was hard to believe this was the same person who just claimed there was something wrong with his emotions, as Akashi’s expression was clearly sour. His bandage around his eye had come loose, revealing a face full of unfiltered disgust.
“You just said your emotions were…”
“In response, I also showed disdain towards Akashi. If he was going to act, he should have been more thorough. Originally, I planned to ask this Akashi to determine if the other Akashi was lying, but it turned out unnecessary.”
“Effective.”
“…Someone nearby asked me to take care of myself, but here comes that wretch crawling over. Damn it.”
“Yes, I came because someone asked me to save them, and it turned out to be you. Don’t think I’m doing this out of affection. Once you’re gone, that grimoire is mine, remember that.”
“Didn’t you have something to say to Yuna first?”
“Um… well. Teasing you turned out to be more fun than expected-”
Before he could finish, Yuna grabbed the grimoire on the desk and slammed it onto Akashi’s head.
—
Even after that, somehow controlling his strength, Akashi woke up an hour later. Despite complaining of severe headaches, Yuna told him to be thankful she didn’t smash his skull.
I agree. With Yuna’s strength, she could have crushed his head and buried it within his torso, but considering she controlled her strength, she really cut him some slack.
Even Akashi seemed to realize this, avoiding eye contact with Yuna like a guilty puppy, his eyes darting around nervously.
“So, anyway, while I was out, you guys weren’t just sitting around doing nothing, right?”
“Of course not. Do we look like you?”
“Let me clarify beforehand, not all Akashis are like him, so please refrain from discriminatory looks. He’s the odd one out. I swear.”
“Still, aren’t you drawing too much of a line between us?”
“Same country? There’s only one of me like you. Even the eccentric old man is better than you.”
The rejected Akashi wore a sorrowful expression, but with an artist’s eye embedded somewhere, it was rather unsettling.
Is he watching us right now? Who knows.
“…Anyway, you want to break through those demons, right? Well, there is a way… but first, let’s confirm one thing. I have no intention of heading to the front lines anymore.”
“Why?” As if to stop the question, Akashi continued.
“Because with me around, this crazy woman will recklessly charge forward again. If I try to keep up with your madness, I might not survive till the end. And… never mind. This shouldn’t be said. At most, I’ll pre-enchant the armor, but don’t expect anything more.”
“What if you use the brush?”
“Do we really have to go that far? Should I just hand over the grimoire to her over there? Besides, this me is just a deranged clone who fraternized with demons. Would you take such a person to fight demons?”
Myungho hesitated to pull out the brush. Perhaps he decided against forcing someone so reluctant to come along.
“Alright, that’s enough. But you’ll have to explain why you dislike going so much later.”
“Yeah, yeah… so, can you leave now? And call a priest too. I think there’s a crack in my skull.”
For a moment, Yuna lifted the grimoire again, then closed her eyes tightly and lowered her arm. Poor Yuna. Falling for someone like him…
—
A week-long search ended futilely. They caused minor earthquakes beneath the village and checked for alternate escape routes when they discovered the path.
A trail unmistakably carved by a blade, leading straight to the Germodai Volcano.
Finding traces of the daughter’s mana reaffirmed Kalpira’s sense of futility and doubt. Why was she heading toward a place seemingly devoid of anything?
Riding the waves of rock, the reason became clear—the reason the daughter had come here.
Unforgettable crystalline chunks twisting and morphing into various animal shapes.
“Executor, what brings you here? The gallery hasn’t even opened yet.”
